Boy Recovering After Mountain Lion Attack

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Boy Recovering After Mountain Lion Attack 2/6/12
Big Bend National Park - What started as a family vacation quickly took a turn for the worst after a six-year-old boy is attacked by a mountain lion in Big Bend National Park.

"We weren’t on a trail or down in the woods we were on a sidewalk between the restaurant and hotel," explains Rivers Hobbs’ father, Jason.

The Hobbs family drove in from Austin, hoping to enjoy the outdoors in Big Bend National Park. But their vacation was cut short.

"It snuck up on me," claims 6-year-old Rivers.

“It” was a mountain lion, sneaking up on Rivers just feet from the Chisos Mountain Lodge where they were staying.

"It had a hold of his face...the cat was clamped on his face. I reached down and got my knife out and stabbed the cat in the chest and it let go at that point," Jason says.

The family immediately took action but they claims the lodge did just the opposite

"I heard them say right in front of me that they were not going to tell the other people at the lodge that there was an attack and the lion is still at large," says Rivers’ mom, Kristi Harris.

Despite the gruesome stitches from his surgery, Rivers claims he didn't cry once.

"Did it hurt?" we asked him.
"No… not that bad,” he replies.

"Were lucky he’s walking away with scars and it didn't get him by the neck," Jason says.

David Elkowitz with the Big Bend National Park tells CBS 7 this was actually the second attack of the day in the same area.

Elkowitz said the mountain lion tried to attack another family but was fended off by a backpack.

Both families say the mountain lion looked "small, young and in bad shape."

Park rangers began evacuating trails and campsites early today.

Closed areas include the Chisos Basin, Window Trail, The Pinnacles, Boulder Meadow and Juniper Flats.
Click to expand...


http://www.cbs7kosa.com/news/details.asp?ID=32370
 
Wow!

Glad that boy is OK. Equally glad his old man carried a knife!
 
What I find shameful is that it was actually the second attack of the day. The park folks were trying to keep it quiet.:eek:

I think if it had been my child or grandchild, and I found out that there had been an earlier incident, the next attack may well be by a certain old codger with a blackthorn stick, on a park ranger.:grumpy:
 
Now that's a tough kid! One of my thoughts was I hope he isn't afraid to go outdoors after this but I highly doubt it after reading his story. And ill bet he carries a knife everywhere!
 
This is *exactly* the type of stuff that i wish received wider/better coverage in the media.

It's tragic that Hollywood and Disney have been so successful at humanizing wildlife. As a result, it's controversial to some people to kill an animal known to be predatory against humans.

I've heard/read somewhere that America has become a nation that values trees and animals more than ............................ OK, i gotta tone myself down or i'm gonna not just be Off-Topic, i'll be Off The Ranch!!! Mods, please don't Ban me!!!

I sure am glad the boy lived, that his Dad was well-equipped and kicked that feline's rear end. Honestly, it's tragic that the cat got to the state of mind that it considered humans as a food source...

I truly hope Governmental Authorities/Agencies make provisions to better regulate predatory wildlife populations. People 1st - everything else 2nd, 3rd, etc....
 
Here's a coupled of pics of the knife:

cougarknife.jpg

cougarknife2.jpg


http://www.myfoxaustin.com/dpp/video/Leander-Boy-Attacked-By-Mountain-Lion20120207-ktbcw-#axzz1lonxdNzk
 
Tough family.

Don't blame the Park Rangers. At this point you don't know what they were aware of and when, and what they were doing about it.

The family immediately took action but they claims the lodge did just the opposite

"I heard them say right in front of me that they were not going to tell the other people at the lodge that there was an attack and the lion is still at large," says Rivers’ mom, Kristi Harris.
Click to expand...

THAT stinks.
 
jackknife said:
What I find shameful is that it was actually the second attack of the day. The park folks were trying to keep it quiet.:eek:

I think if it had been my child or grandchild, and I found out that there had been an earlier incident, the next attack may well be by a certain old codger with a blackthorn stick, on a park ranger.:grumpy:
Click to expand...
I'm right there with you! Or behind you, perhaps, I remember what you've done already with your hiking staffs! :D
 
fmajor007 said:
This is *exactly* the type of stuff that i wish received wider/better coverage in the media.

It's tragic that Hollywood and Disney have been so successful at humanizing wildlife. As a result, it's controversial to some people to kill an animal known to be predatory against humans.

I've heard/read somewhere that America has become a nation that values trees and animals more than ............................ OK, i gotta tone myself down or i'm gonna not just be Off-Topic, i'll be Off The Ranch!!! Mods, please don't Ban me!!!

I sure am glad the boy lived, that his Dad was well-equipped and kicked that feline's rear end. Honestly, it's tragic that the cat got to the state of mind that it considered humans as a food source...

I truly hope Governmental Authorities/Agencies make provisions to better regulate predatory wildlife populations. People 1st - everything else 2nd, 3rd, etc....
Click to expand...

+1 I do not avocate cruelty towards animals or senseless killling - hunting for food is a natural thing and fine. Humans should come first in an "us vs them" scenario. And why is it not ok to carry tools that are useful, such as a knife ?!?
 
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